Alignment polymers

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to polymers that include residues of at least one monomer represented by the following Formula (I). With reference to Formula (I), at least one of E1 and E2 independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group, such as a (meth)acryloyl group. Monomers represented by Formula (I) and monomer residues thereof have alignment properties, such as photoalignment properties. The present invention also relates to alignment layers that include such polymers, and articles of manufacture, such as optical elements, that include one or more such alignment layers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the United States national phase of International Application No. PCT/US2015/035452 filed Jun. 12, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to polymers that include residues of one or more monomers having alignment properties, such as photoalignment properties, alignment layers containing such polymers, and articles of manufacture, such as optical elements, that include such alignment layers.

BACKGROUND

Liquid crystal materials are used in various applications. Typically, the liquid crystal materials are formed as a layer over the surface of a substrate, such as an ophthalmic lens. To obtain desired properties and performance, the liquid crystal materials of the liquid crystal containing layer are typically orientated or aligned along a common direction. Alignment of the liquid crystal materials can be achieved by contact of the liquid crystal containing layer with an underlying alignment layer that includes alignment materials, such as polymers that can be aligned. Orientation of the alignment layer can be achieved by physical methods, such as rubbing, and/or remote methods, such as exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

Alignment of the alignment layer and correspondingly the liquid crystal materials of the liquid crystal containing layer by remote methods, such as by exposure to electromagnetic radiation, can be desirable compared to physical methods. Physical alignment methods can have associated therewith disadvantages, such as dirt pickup by and/or corruption, such as tearing, of the alignment layer. Remote alignment methods are generally not subject to such disadvantages, and can be advantageously used to define distinct areas across the alignment layer having different alignment directions.

It would be desirable to develop new polymers that have alignment properties. It would be further desirable that such newly developed polymers and/or layers containing such polymers, can be remotely aligned, such as by exposure to electromagnetic radiation.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a polymer comprising at least one residue (or monomer unit) of at least one monomer represented by the following Formula (I),

With reference to Formula (I): Ring-A is selected from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl; E is N or C—R¹; and D is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N—R².

With further reference to Formula (I), R¹ of E and R² of D are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, interrupted hydrocarbyl, and substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl, wherein each interrupted hydrocarbyl and each substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N═N—, —N(R₁₁′)— where R₁₁′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, —Si(OR₈′)_(w)(R₈′)_(e)—, where w and e are each independently 0 to 2, provided that the sum of w and e is 2, and each R₈′ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more interrupting groups thereof.

With additional reference to Formula (I), L¹ and L⁴ are each independently selected from at least one of: a single bond; —O—; —S—; —C(O)—; —S(O)—; —SO₂—; —N═N—; —N(R₁₁′)— where R₁₁′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl; —Si(OR₈′)_(w)(R₈′)_(e)—, where w and e are each independently 0 to 2, provided that the sum of w and e is 2, and each R₈′ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl; hydrocarbyl; substituted hydrocarbyl; interrupted hydrocarbyl; and substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl, wherein each interrupted hydrocarbyl and each substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N═N—, —N(R₁₁′)— where R₁₁′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, —Si(OR₈′)_(w)(R₈′)_(e)—, where w and e are each independently 0 to 2, provided that the sum of w and e is 2, and each R₈′ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more interrupting groups thereof.

With further reference to Formula (I): t is 0 to 4, or 1 to 4; s is, independently for each g, from 1 to 4; g is 0 to 6, provided that the sum of t and g is at least 1; m is, independently for each t, from 0 to 4; and q is, independently for each s, from 0 to 4.

With additional reference to Formula (I), L² independently for each m, and L⁵ independently for each q, are in each case independently selected from the group consisting of divalent linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, divalent linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ perhaloalkyl, divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ perhaloalkyl, divalent linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, and divalent interrupted linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, wherein each divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, each divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ perhaloalkyl, and each divalent interrupted linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more interrupting groups thereof.

With further reference to Formula (I): p is, independently for each t, from 0 to 4, provided the sum of m and p is at least 1 for each t that is greater than zero; and r is, independently for each s, from 0 to 4, provided the sum of q and r is at least 1 for each s.

With additional reference to Formula (I), L³ independently for each p, and L⁶ independently for each r, are in each case independently represented by the following Formula (II-1),

With reference to Formula (II-1), Y is, independently for each p and independently for each r, a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, —N(R⁹)—C(O)—O—, —C(O)—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

With further reference to Formula (II-1), v and u are each independently, for each p and each r, 0 to 5, provided that the sum of v and u is at least 1 for each p that is greater than zero and each r that is greater than zero.

With additional reference to Formula (II-1), Z is, independently for each v, a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, —N(R⁹)—C(O)—O—, —C(O)—N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

With further reference to Formula (II-1), the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, from the group consisting of divalent aryl, substituted divalent aryl, divalent heteroaryl, substituted divalent heteroaryl, divalent cycloalkyl, substituted divalent cycloalkyl, divalent heterocycloalkyl, and substituted divalent heterocycloalkyl.

With reference again to Formula (I), E¹ and E² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, interrupted hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, and substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl, wherein each interrupted hydrocarbyl and each substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more interrupting groups thereof.

With regard to E¹ and E² of Formula (I), there is the proviso that at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of (linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, unsubstituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, substituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride, hydroxyl, thiol, amine, isocyanate, aldehyde, and combinations thereof.

With further reference to Formula (I), there are the following further provisos: a direct L¹-L² link between L¹ and L² is free of two heteroatoms linked together; a direct L¹-L³ link between L¹ and L³ is free of two heteroatoms linked together; and each direct L²-L³ link between each directly linked L² and L³ is free of two heteroatoms linked together.

With additional reference to Formula (I), there are the following additional provisos: a direct L⁴-L⁵ link between L⁴ and L⁵ is free of two heteroatoms linked together; a direct L⁴-L⁶ link between L⁴ and L⁶ is free of two heteroatoms linked together; and each direct L⁵-L⁶ link between each directly linked L⁵ and L⁶ is free of two heteroatoms linked together.

The features that characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims, which are annexed to and form a part of this disclosure. These and other features of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects obtained by its use will be more fully understood from the following detailed description in which non-limiting embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless otherwise expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.

Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges or subratios subsumed therein. For example, a stated range or ratio of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, such as but not limited to, 1 to 6.1, 3.5 to 7.8, and 5.5 to 10.

As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, left-to-right representations of linking groups, such as divalent linking groups, are inclusive of other appropriate orientations, such as, but not limited to, right-to-left orientations. For purposes of non-limiting illustration, the left-to-right representation of the divalent linking group

or equivalently —C(O)O—, is inclusive of the right-to-left representation thereof,

or equivalently —O(O)C— or —OC(O)—.

Other than in the operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.”

As used herein, molecular weight values of polymers, such as weight average molecular weights (Mw) and number average molecular weights (Mn), are determined by gel permeation chromatography using appropriate standards, such as polystyrene standards.

As used herein, polydispersity index (PDI) values represent a ratio of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) to the number average molecular weight (Mn) of the polymer (i.e., Mw/Mn).

As used herein, the term “polymer” means homopolymers (e.g., prepared from a single monomer species), copolymers (e.g., prepared from at least two monomer species), and graft polymers.

As used herein, the term “monomer unit” as used in conjunction with the term polymer and related terms, means a monomer (or residue of a monomer) that has been incorporated into at least a portion of the polymer.

As used herein, the term “(meth)acrylate” and similar terms, such as “(meth)acrylic acid ester” means methacrylates and/or acrylates. As used herein, the term “(meth)acrylic acid” means methacrylic acid and/or acrylic acid. As used herein, the term “(linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl)acryloyl” means (linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl)acryloyl and/or acryloyl. As used herein, the term “(meth)acryloyl” means methacryloyl and/or acryloyl.

The polymers of the present invention are also referred to herein as alignment polymers and/or alignable polymers.

The polymers of the present invention, as described herein, including, but not limited to, polymers represented by Formula (I) and Formula (VI), in each case can optionally further include one or more coproducts, resulting from the synthesis of such polymers.

As used herein, the term “actinic radiation” means electromagnetic radiation that is capable of causing a response in a material, such as, but not limited to, transforming the polymers of the present invention from a non-aligned arrangement to an aligned arrangement.

As used herein, the term “photochromic” and similar terms, such as “photochromic compound” means having an absorption spectrum for at least visible radiation that varies in response to absorption of at least actinic radiation. Further, as used herein the term “photochromic material” means any substance that is adapted to display photochromic properties (such as, adapted to have an absorption spectrum for at least visible radiation that varies in response to absorption of at least actinic radiation) and which includes at least one photochromic compound.

As used herein, the term “photochromic material” includes thermally reversible photochromic materials and compounds and non-thermally reversible photochromic materials and compounds. The term “thermally reversible photochromic compounds/materials” as used herein means compounds/materials capable of converting from a first state, for example a “clear state,” to a second state, for example a “colored state,” in response to actinic radiation, and reverting back to the first state in response to thermal energy. The term “non-thermally reversible photochromic compounds/materials” as used herein means compounds/materials capable of converting from a first state, for example a “clear state,” to a second state, for example a “colored state,” in response to actinic radiation, and reverting back to the first state in response to actinic radiation of substantially the same wavelength(s) as the absorption(s) of the colored state (e.g., discontinuing exposure to such actinic radiation).

As used herein to modify the term “state,” the terms “first” and “second” are not intended to refer to any particular order or chronology, but instead refer to two different conditions or properties. For purposes of non-limiting illustration, the first state and the second state of a photochromic compound can differ with respect to at least one optical property, such as but not limited to the absorption of visible and/or UV radiation. Thus, according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, the photochromic compounds of the present invention can have a different absorption spectrum in each of the first and second state. For example, while not limiting herein, a photochromic compound of the present invention can be clear in the first state and colored in the second state. Alternatively, a photochromic compound of the present invention can have a first color in the first state and a second color in the second state.

As used herein the term “optical” means pertaining to or associated with light and/or vision. For example, according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein, the optical article or element or device can be chosen from ophthalmic articles, elements and devices, display articles, elements and devices, windows, mirrors, and active and passive liquid crystal cell articles, elements and devices.

As used herein the term “ophthalmic” means pertaining to or associated with the eye and vision. Non-limiting examples of ophthalmic articles or elements include corrective and non-corrective lenses, including single vision or multi-vision lenses, which can be either segmented or non-segmented multi-vision lenses (such as, but not limited to, bifocal lenses, trifocal lenses and progressive lenses), as well as other elements used to correct, protect, or enhance (cosmetically or otherwise) vision, including without limitation, contact lenses, intra-ocular lenses, magnifying lenses, and protective lenses or visors.

As used herein the term “display” means the visible or machine-readable representation of information in words, numbers, symbols, designs or drawings. Non-limiting examples of display elements include screens, monitors, and security elements, such as security marks.

As used herein the term “window” means an aperture adapted to permit the transmission of radiation there-through. Non-limiting examples of windows include automotive and aircraft transparencies, windshields, filters, shutters, and optical switches.

As used herein, the term “mirror” means a surface that specularly reflects a large fraction of incident light.

As used herein, the term “liquid crystal cell” refers to a structure containing a liquid crystal material that is capable of being ordered. A non-limiting example of a liquid crystal cell element is a liquid crystal display.

As used herein, the term “mesogen” and similar terms, such as “mesogen group,” “mesogenic,” and “mesogenic group,” means the fundamental unit (or segment or group) of a liquid crystal material that induces, and/or is induced into, structural order amongst and between liquid crystals, such as (but not limited to) liquid crystal materials that are together present in a liquid crystal composition.

As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as “left”, “right”, “inner”, “outer”, “above”, “below”, and the like, relate to the invention as it is depicted in the drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting.

As used herein, the terms “formed over,” “deposited over,” “provided over,” “applied over,” residing over,” or “positioned over,” mean formed, deposited, provided, applied, residing, or positioned on but not necessarily in direct (or abutting) contact with the underlying element, or surface of the underlying element. For example, a layer “positioned over” a substrate does not preclude the presence of one or more other layers, coatings, or films of the same or different composition located between the positioned or formed layer and the substrate.

All documents, such as but not limited to issued patents and patent applications, referred to herein, and unless otherwise indicated, are to be considered to be “incorporated by reference” in their entirety.

As used herein, the term “a bond” such as used with, but not limited to, L¹, L⁴, Y, and Z, means a single bond.

As used herein, recitations of “linear or branched” groups, such as linear or branched alkyl, are herein understood to include: a methylene group or a methyl group; groups that are linear, such as linear C₂-C₂₀ alkyl groups; and groups that are appropriately branched, such as branched C₃-C₂₀ alkyl groups.

As used herein, recitations of “substituted” group, means a group, including but not limited to, alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, heterocycloalkyl group, aryl group, and/or heteroaryl group, in which at least one hydrogen thereof has been replaced or substituted with a group that is other than hydrogen, such as, but not limited to, halo groups (e.g., F, Cl, I, and Br), hydroxyl groups, ether groups, thiol groups, thio ether groups, carboxylic acid groups, carboxylic acid ester groups, phosphoric acid groups, phosphoric acid ester groups, sulfonic acid groups, sulfonic acid ester groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, hydrocarbyl groups (including, but not limited to: alkyl; alkenyl; alkynyl; cycloalkyl, including poly-fused-ring cycloalkyl and polycycloalkyl; heterocycloalkyl; aryl, including hydroxyl substituted aryl, such as phenol, and including poly-fused-ring aryl; heteroaryl, including poly-fused-ring heteroaryl; and aralkyl groups), and amine groups, such as —N(R₁₁′)(R₁₂′) where R₁₁′ and R₁₂′ are each independently selected, with some embodiments, from hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ alkyl, C₃-C₁₂ cycloakyl, C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl.

As used herein, recitations of “halo substituted” and related terms (such as, but not limited to, haloalkyl groups, haloalkenyl groups, haloalkynyl groups, haloaryl groups and halo-heteroaryl groups) means a group in which at least one, and up to and including all of the available hydrogen groups thereof is substituted with a halo group. The term “halo-substituted” is inclusive of “perhalo-substituted.” As used herein, the term perhalo-substituted group and related terms (such as, but not limited to perhaloalkyl groups, perhaloalkenyl groups, perhaloalkynyl groups, perhaloaryl groups and perhalo-heteroaryl groups) means a group in which all of the available hydrogen groups thereof are substituted with a halo group. For example, perhalomethyl is —CX₃; perhalophenyl is —C₆X₅, where X represents one or more halo groups, such as, but not limited to F.

The monomers and monomer residues of the polymers of the present invention include groups and sub-groups that can in each case be independently selected from hydrocarbyl and/or substituted hydrocarbyl. As used herein the term “hydrocarbyl” and similar terms, such as “hydrocarbyl substituent,” means: linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl (e.g., linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl); linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl (e.g., linear or branched C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl); linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkynyl (e.g., linear or branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl); C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl (e.g., C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl); C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl (having at least one hetero atom in the cyclic ring); C₅-C₁₈ aryl (including polycyclic aryl groups) (e.g., C₅-C₁₀ aryl); C₅-C₁₈ heteroaryl (having at least one hetero atom in the aromatic ring); and C₆-C₂₄ aralkyl (e.g., C₆-C₁₀ aralkyl).

Representative alkyl groups include but are not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl. Representative alkenyl groups include but are not limited to vinyl, allyl and propenyl. Representative alkynyl groups include but are not limited to ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, and 2-butynyl. Representative cycloalkyl groups include but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cyclooctyl substituents. Representative heterocycloalkyl groups include but are not limited to imidazolyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl and piperidinyl. Representative aryl groups include but are not limited to phenyl, naphthyl, anthracynyl and triptycenyl. Representative heteroaryl groups include but are not limited to furanyl, pyranyl, pyridinyl, isoquinoline, and pyrimidinyl. Representative aralkyl groups include but are not limited to benzyl, and phenethyl.

The term “substituted hydrocarbyl” as used herein means a hydrocarbyl group in which at least one hydrogen thereof has been substituted with a group that is other than hydrogen, such as, but not limited to, halo groups, hydroxyl groups, ether groups, thiol groups, thio ether groups, carboxylic acid groups, carboxylic acid ester groups, phosphoric acid groups, phosphoric acid ester groups, sulfonic acid groups, sulfonic acid ester groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, hydrocarbyl groups (e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and aralkyl groups), and amine groups, such as —N(R₁₁′)(R₁₂′) where R₁₁′ and R₁₂′ are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

The term “substituted hydrocarbyl” is inclusive of halohydrocarbyl (or halo substituted hydrocarbyl) substituents. The term “halohydrocarbyl” as used herein, and similar terms, such as halo substituted hydrocarbyl, means that at least one hydrogen atom of the hydrocarbyl (e.g., of the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, and aralkyl groups) is replaced with a halogen atom selected from chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine. The degree of halogenation can range from at least one hydrogen atom but less than all hydrogen atoms being replaced by a halogen atom (e.g., a fluoromethyl group), to full halogenation (perhalogenation) in which all replaceable hydrogen atoms on the hydrocarbyl group have each been replaced by a halogen atom (e.g., trifluoromethyl or perfluoromethyl). Correspondingly, the term “perhalohydrocarbyl group” as used herein means a hydrocarbyl group in which all replaceable hydrogens have been replaced with a halogen. Examples of perhalohydrocarbyl groups include, but are not limited to, perhalogenated phenyl groups and perhalogenated alkyl groups.

The hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl groups from which the various groups described herein can each be independently selected, in some instances and with some embodiments, can in each case be independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group, and when so interrupted are referred to herein as interrupted hydrocarbyl and substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl groups. Each interrupted hydrocarbyl and each substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl, are in each case independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N═N—, —N(R₁₁′)— where R₁₁′ in each case is independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, —Si(OR₈′)_(w)(R₈′)_(e)—, where w and e are each independently selected from 0 to 2, provided that the sum of w and t is 2, and each R₈′ is independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more interrupting groups thereof. As used herein, by interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N═N—, —N(R₁₁′)— and —Si(OR₈′)_(w)(R₈′)_(e)—, means that at least one carbon of, but less than all of the carbons of, the interrupted hydrocarbyl group or substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl group, is in each case independently replaced with one or more of the recited divalent non-carbon linking groups. The interrupted hydrocarbyl and substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl groups can be interrupted with two or more of the above recited linking groups, which can be adjacent to each other or separated by one or more carbons. For purposes of non-limiting illustration, a combination of adjacent —C(O)— and —N(R₁₁′)— can provide a divalent amide linking or interrupting group, —C(O)—N(R₁₁′)—. For purposes of further non-limiting illustration, a combination of adjacent —N(R₁₁′)—, —C(O)— and —O— can provide a divalent carbamate (or urethane) linking or interrupting group, —N(R₁₁′)—C(O)—O—, where R₁₁′ is hydrogen.

The term “interrupted with” as used with regard to the various groups described herein, such as but not limited to interrupted hydrocarbyl and substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl groups, also includes interruption at the initial linking position of the group to the compound or core compound structure with at least one interrupting group selected from —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N═N—, —N(R₁₁′)— where R₁₁′ in each case is independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, —Si(OR₈′)_(w)(R₈′)_(e)—, where w and e are each independently selected from 0 to 2, provided that the sum of w and t is 2, and each R₈′ is independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more interrupting groups thereof. For purposes of nonlimiting illustration, when an R¹ (of C—R¹ of E) of Formula (I) is interrupted hydrocarbyl, the R¹ interrupted hydrocarbyl group can be interrupted with one or more of the above recited divalent interrupting groups, such as but not limited to —O—: (i) along the hydrocarbyl chain thereof; and/or (ii) at the point where R¹ is bonded to the C of C—R¹.

The term “alkyl” as used herein, in accordance with some embodiments, means linear or branched alkyl, such as but not limited to, linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, or linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, or linear or branched C₂-C₁₀ alkyl. Examples of alkyl groups from which the various alkyl groups of the present invention can be selected from, include, but are not limited to, those recited previously herein. Alkyl groups of the various compounds of the present invention can, with some embodiments, include one or more unsaturated linkages selected from —CH═CH— groups and/or one or more —C≡C— groups, provided the alkyl group is free of two or more conjugated unsaturated linkages. With some embodiments, the alkyl groups are free of unsaturated linkages, such as —CH═CH— groups and —C≡C— groups.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein, in accordance with some embodiments, means groups that are appropriately cyclic, such as but not limited to, C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl (including, but not limited to, cyclic C₅-C₇ alkyl) groups. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, those recited previously herein. The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein in accordance with some embodiments also includes: bridged ring polycycloalkyl groups (or bridged ring polycyclic alkyl groups), such as but not limited to, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl (or norbornyl) and bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl; and fused ring polycycloalkyl groups (or fused ring polycyclic alkyl groups), such as, but not limited to, octahydro-1H-indenyl, and decahydronaphthalenyl.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” as used herein, in accordance with some embodiments, means groups that are appropriately cyclic, such as but not limited to, C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl groups or C₅-C₇ heterocycloalkyl groups, and which have at least one hetero atom in the cyclic ring, such as, but not limited to, O, S, N, P, and combinations thereof. Examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, those recited previously herein. The term “heterocycloalkyl” as used herein, in accordance with some embodiments, also includes: bridged ring polycyclic heterocycloalkyl groups, such as but not limited to, 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl; and fused ring polycyclic heterocycloalkyl groups, such as but not limited to, octahydrocyclopenta[b]pyranyl, and octahydro-1H-isochromenyl.

The term “heteroaryl,” as used herein, in accordance with some embodiments, includes but is not limited to C₅-C₁₈ heteroaryl, such as but not limited to C₅-C₁₀ heteroaryl (including fused ring polycyclic heteroaryl groups) and means an aryl group having at least one hetero atom in the aromatic ring, or in at least one aromatic ring in the case of a fused ring polycyclic heteroaryl group. Examples of heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, those recited previously herein.

As used herein, the term “fused ring polycyclic-aryl-alkyl group” and similar terms such as, fused ring polycyclic-alkyl-aryl group, fused ring polycyclo-aryl-alkyl group, and fused ring polycyclo-alkyl-aryl group means a fused ring polycyclic group that includes at least one aryl ring and at least one cycloalkyl ring that are fused together to form a fused ring structure. For purposes of non-limiting illustration, examples of fused ring polycyclic-aryl-alkyl groups include, but are not limited to indenyl, 9H-flourenyl, cyclopentanaphthenyl, and indacenyl.

The term “aralkyl,” as used herein, and in accordance with some embodiments, includes but is not limited to C₆-C₂₄ aralkyl, such as but not limited to C₆-C₁₀ aralkyl, and means an aryl group substituted with an alkyl group. Examples of aralkyl groups include, but are not limited to, those recited previously herein.

The polymers and related monomers according to the present invention, such as, but not limited to the monomers represented by Formula (I), and the various groups thereof are described in further detail herein as follows.

In accordance with some embodiments, and with reference to Formula (I): Ring-A is aryl; and R¹ of E and R² of D are each independently selected from hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl.

In accordance with some embodiments, and with reference to Formula (I): m is at least 1 for at least one t; q is at least 1 for at least one s.

With further reference to Formula (I) and with some embodiments, L² is, independently for each m, and L⁵ is, independently for each q, in each case independently selected from divalent linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, divalent linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ perhaloalkyl, and divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ perhaloalkyl, where each divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl and each divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ perhaloalkyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the interrupting groups —O—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—.

With additional reference to Formula (I) and with some embodiments: p is at least 1 for at least one t; r is at least 1 for at least one s.

With additional reference to Formula (I) and with some embodiments, L³ independently for each p, and L⁶ independently for each r, are in each case independently represented by the following Formula (II-2),

With reference to Formula (II-2), and with some embodiments, the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, from phenylen-1,4-diyl, substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl, cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, substituted cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, pyrimidin-2,5-diyl, substituted pyrimidin-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, substituted pyridine-2,5-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, substituted naphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl in which the aromatic ring is substituted, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, indane-2,5(6)-diyl, fluorene-2,-7-diyl, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl, (1,3,4)thiadiazol-2,5-diyl, (1,3)thiazol-2,5-diyl, (1,3)thiazol-2,4-diyl, thiophen-2,4-diyl, thiophen-2,5-diyl, (1,3)dioxan-2,5-diyl, piperidin-1,4-diyl, and, piperazin-1,4-diyl.

With reference to Formula (I), and with some embodiments, E¹ and E² are each independently selected from hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, and interrupted linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, wherein each interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl and each interrupted linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from —O—, —S—, and —C(O)O—.

With regard to E¹ and E² of Formula (I), there is the further proviso, with some embodiments, that E¹ and/or E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from (meth)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, unsubstituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, substituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride, hydroxyl, thiol, and combinations thereof.

With some embodiments, Ring-A of Formula (I) is phenyl, and the monomer represented by Formula (I) is further represented by the following Formula (I-A):

With reference to Formula (I-A), g is from 0 to 4, provided that the sum of t and g is at least 1. The groups and subscripts of Formula (I-A) are each as described previously herein with reference to Formula (I), and as described further herein.

With reference to Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), R¹ of E and R² of D, with some embodiments, are each independently selected from hydrogen and linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl.

With further reference to Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), L² is, independently for each m, and L⁵ is, independently for each q, in each case independently selected from divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ perfluoroalkyl, and divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ perfluoroalkyl, where each divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl and each divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ perfluoroalkyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from —O—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—.

With additional reference to Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), independently for each L³, and independently for each L⁶, Z is, independently for each v, selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O— and —C(O)O—.

With further additional reference to Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), and independently for each L³, and independently for each L⁶, the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, from phenylen-1,4-diyl, substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl, cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, and substituted cyclohexan-1,4-diyl.

With further reference to Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), and in accordance with some embodiments, E¹ and E² are each independently selected from hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, and interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, where each interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl is independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from —O—, —S—, and —C(O)O—.

With regard to E¹ and E² of Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), there is the further proviso, with some embodiments, that at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of (meth)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, unsubstituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, substituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride, hydroxyl, thiol, and combinations thereof.

In accordance with some embodiments and with reference to Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), E¹ and E² are each independently selected from hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, and interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, where each interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl is independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from —O— and —C(O)O—. With regard to E¹ and E² of Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), there is the further proviso, with some embodiments, at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, (meth)acryloyl.

For purposes of non-limiting illustration, and in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, each E¹ and each E² are in each case independently represented by the following Formula (VII), (X*)_(n)-(L*)-  (VII)

With reference to Formula (VII), L* is selected from a bond, such as a single bond, multivalent hydrocarbyl, multivalent substituted hydrocarbyl, multivalent interrupted hydrocarbyl, and multivalent substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl, where each multivalent interrupted hydrocarbyl and each multivalent substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— where R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more interrupting groups thereof.

With further reference to Formula (VII), subscript n in each case is independently at least 1, such as 1 to 10, or 1 to 8, or 1 to 6, or 1 to 5, or 1 to 4, or 1 to 3, or 2, or 1.

With additional reference to Formula (VII), X* in each case and independently for each n is a reactive group selected from (linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, unsubstituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, substituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride, hydroxyl, thiol, amine, isocyanate, aldehyde, and combinations thereof. With further additional reference to Formula (VII), there is the proviso that for at least one of E¹ and E², at least one X* is selected from a reactive group.

In accordance with some embodiments, the polymer of the present invention further includes at least one residue of an additional monomer selected from (meth)acrylic acid, hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate, substituted hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, and combinations thereof.

With reference to Formula (I), and correspondingly Formula (I-A), and in accordance with some further embodiments, D is O.

With reference to Formula (I), and with some embodiments of the present invention, L¹ and L⁴ are each independently selected from t one of the following Formulas IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IIIe, or IIIf:

where R⁷ is selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl,

where R⁸ is selected from hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl,

where R^(b) is selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and

where R^(c) and R^(d) are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl.

With reference to Formulas IIIb and IIId above, R⁷ and R⁸ for each of L¹ and L⁴ are each independently selected from divalent linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, divalent linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, divalent C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, divalent C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl, divalent aryl, and divalent heteroaryl.

In accordance with some embodiments, L¹ and L⁴ of Formula (I) are each independently the divalent linking group represented by Formula IIId, and each R⁸ is independently a divalent linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl group.

With reference to Formulas IIIe and IIIf above, and in accordance with some embodiments, R^(b), R^(c), and R^(d) for each of L¹ and L⁴ are each independently selected from linear or branched C₁-C₂₅ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₂₅ alkenyl, C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₃-C₁₂ heterocycloalkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl.

With further reference to Formulas IIIe and IIIf above, and in accordance with some further embodiments, R^(b), R^(c), and R^(d) for each of L¹ and L⁴ are each independently a linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl group.

With some embodiments of the present invention and with reference to Formula (I) and Formula (II-1), divalent Ring-(B) and divalent Ring-(C), are each independently selected from the group consisting of divalent aryl, substituted divalent aryl, divalent heteroaryl, and substituted divalent heteroaryl.

In accordance with some further embodiments of the present invention and with reference to Formula (I) and Formula (II-2), divalent Ring-(B) and divalent Ring-(C), are each independently selected from the group consisting of phenylen-1,4-diyl, substituted phenylen-1,4-diyl, pyrimidin-2,5-diyl, substituted pyrimidin-2,5-diyl, pyridine-2,5-diyl, substituted pyridine-2,5-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, substituted naphthalene-2,6-diyl, and phenanthrene-2,7-diyl.

With some embodiments of the polymer of the present invention and with reference to Formula (I), each L³ and each L⁶, are in each case independently a divalent group selected from the following Formulas, IV(A) through IV(O):

In accordance with some embodiments of the polymers of the present invention and with reference to Formula (I), at least one of L³ and L⁶ independently is a mesogenic group, and the polymer is a mesogenic polymer. Since the polymers of the present invention, with some embodiments, include at least one residue of at least one monomer represented by Formula (I), and at least one of L³ and L⁶ independently is a mesogenic group, the polymers of the present invention can be described as mesogenic polymers when at least one of L³ and L⁶ independently is a mesogenic group.

Non-limiting examples of monomers, such as represented by Formula (I), from which the polymers of the present invention can be prepared, include those represented by the following Formulas (M-1) to (M-17):

The polymers of the present invention, with some embodiments, include at least one residue of at least one further monomer represented by the following Formula (V), E³

(L³)_(p)-(L²)_(m)

_(t′)-L¹-E⁴  Formula (V)

With reference to Formula (V): t′ is from 1 to 4; L¹, L², and L³, are each independently as described previously herein with reference to Formula (I); m is, independently for each t′, from 0 to 4; p is, independently for each t′, from 0 to 4, provided that the sum of m and p is at least one for each t′.

With further reference to Formula (V), E³ and E⁴ are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, interrupted hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, and substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl, where each interrupted hydrocarbyl and each substituted interrupted hydrocarbyl are each independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)O—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R⁹)—, and —Si(R⁹)(R¹⁰)— wherein R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl, and combinations of two or more interrupting groups thereof.

With additional reference to Formula (V), there is the proviso that E³ is, or is substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from (linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, unsubstituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, substituted cyclic carboxylic acid ester, cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride, hydroxyl, thiol, amine, isocyanate, aldehyde, and combinations thereof.

With some embodiments, E³ of Formula (V) is independently represented by Formula (VII) as described previously and independently herein with regard to E¹ and E² of Formula (I).

The polymers of the present invention, with some embodiments, include at least one polymer segment represented by the following Formula (VI),

With reference to Formula (VI): E^(1a) independently for each x is a divalent residue of E¹ of Formula (I): E^(2a) independently for each y is a divalent residue of E² of Formula (I); and E^(3a) independently for each z is a divalent residue of E³ of Formula (V).

With further reference to Formula (VI): h is from 1 to 10,000; x is from 0 to 10 for each h; y is from 0 to 10 for each h; and z is from 0 to 10 for each h. With additional reference to Formula (VI), there is: (i) the proviso that the sum of x, y, and z is at least one for each h; and (ii) the further proviso that the sum of x and y is at least one for at least one h.

The polymers of the present invention can, with some embodiments, be selected from linear polymers, branched polymers, star polymers, graft polymers, and mixtures thereof.

Each polymer segment represented by Formula (VI) can independently have a chain architecture (or chain structure) selected from: random chain architecture (in which the monomer residues are distributed randomly along the polymer segment); block chain architecture (in which the monomer residues are distributed in blocks along the polymer segment); gradient chain architecture (in which the monomer residues are distributed in a gradient along the polymer segment); and combinations of two or more such chain architectures.

With reference to Formula (VI), and in accordance with some embodiments, E^(1a), E^(2a), and E^(3a) are each independently a residue of a radically polymerizable group, and at least the polymer segment represented by Formula (VI) is prepared by art-recognized radical polymerization methods, such as, but not limited to, free radical polymerization methods, and living radical polymerization methods, such as atom transfer radical polymerization methods. With some embodiments of the present invention, E^(1a), E^(2a), and E^(3a) are each independently a residue of a (meth)acryloyl group.

The polymers of the present invention include at least one polymer chain segment represented by Formula (VI) as described above. The polymer chain segment represented by Formula (VI) can represent one or more segments that form (or define) at least a portion of the chain, or backbone, architecture of the polymer. With some embodiments, the polymer chain segment represented by Formula (VI) is located in at least one of: the backbone of the polymer; one or more branches of the polymer (when the polymer is branched); and one or more arms of the polymer (when the polymer has star or comb architecture).

With some embodiments, the polymer of the present invention includes at least one polymer chain segment represented by Formula (VI), such as 1 to 100, or 1 to 50, or 1 to 30, or 1 to 20, or 1 to 10, or 1 to 5, or 1 to 3 polymer chain segments represented by Formula (VI).

The polymers of the present invention can have any suitable molecular weight. With some embodiments, the polymers of the present invention have a Mw of from 5,000 to 2,500,000, or from 10,000 to 500,000, or from 30,000 to 200,000; and an Mn of from 1,000 to 1,000,000, or from 5,000 to 250,000, or from 20,000 to 80,000. The polymers of the present invention, with some embodiments, have a polydispersity index (PDI=Mw/Mn) of at least 1.0, such as from 1.0 to 3.5, or from 1.5 to 3.5, or from 2.0 to 3.0.

The present invention also related to an alignment layer that includes at least one polymer of the present invention, such as described herein with reference to Formula (I).

As used herein the term “alignment layer” means a layer that can facilitate the positioning of one or more other structures that are exposed, directly and/or indirectly, to at least a portion thereof. As used herein the term “order” means bringing into a suitable arrangement or position, such as aligning with another structure or material, or by some other force or effect. Thus, as used herein the term “order” encompasses both: (i) contact methods of ordering a material, such as by aligning with another structure or material; and (ii) non-contact methods of ordering a material, such as by exposure to an external force or effect. The term order also encompasses combinations of contact and non-contact methods.

For purposes of non-limiting illustration, liquid crystal materials, dichroic compounds, and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds that are at least partially aligned by interaction with the alignment layer, can be at least partially aligned such that the long-axis of the liquid crystal materials, dichroic compounds, and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds (such as in an activated state) are essentially parallel to at least the first general direction of the alignment layer. With some embodiments, the liquid crystal materials, dichroic compounds, and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds that are at least partially aligned by interaction with the alignment layer are bound to or reacted with the alignment layer. As used herein with reference to order or alignment of a material or structure, the term “general direction” refers to the predominant arrangement or orientation of the material, compound or structure. Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a material, compound or structure can have a general direction even though there is some variation within the arrangement of the material, compound or structure, provided that the material, compound or structure has at least one predominate arrangement.

The alignment layer of the present invention can, with some embodiments, have at least a first general direction. For example, the alignment layer of the present invention can include a first ordered region having a first general direction and at least one second ordered region adjacent the first ordered region having a second general direction that is different from the first general direction. Further, the alignment layer of the present invention can have a plurality of regions, each of which has a general direction that is the same or different from the remaining regions so as to form a desired pattern or design.

The alignment layer of the present invention can, with some embodiments, be a crosslinked alignment layer, a non-crosslinked alignment layer (such as, but not limited to, a thermoplastic alignment layer), and combinations thereof. With some embodiments, the alignment layer of the present invention can be in the form of a film (such as formed from a thermoplastic coating composition and/or a crosslinkable coating composition), a sheet (such as formed by extrusion of a thermoplastic extrusion composition and/or a crosslinkable extrusion composition), and combinations thereof.

The alignment layer of the present invention can be aligned by art-recognized methods including, but not limited to, contact methods (such as by a shear force), and non-contact methods (such as by exposure to a magnetic field, an electric field, and/or linearly polarized radiation). With some embodiments, the alignment layer is in the form of a sheet, which can be aligned by uniaxial stretching and/or during extrusion of the sheet.

The present invention also relates to an article of manufacture that includes the alignment layer of the present invention, which resides over at least a portion of at least one surface of the article of manufacture.

With some embodiments, the article of manufacture is an optical element that includes: an optical substrate; and in which the alignment layer resides over at least a portion of a surface of the optical substrate.

The alignment layer can be formed over the optical substrate in accordance with art-recognized methods including, but not limited to, spin application methods, spray application methods, curtain coating methods, draw-down application methods (such as using a doctor-blade and/or draw-down bar), lamination methods (such as with preformed films and/or sheets), extrusion methods, in-mold coating (or injection) methods, and combinations of two or more such methods thereof.

The optical substrate, of the optical elements of the present invention can, with some embodiments, be formed from, and correspondingly include, organic materials, inorganic materials, or combinations thereof (for example, composite materials).

Examples of organic materials that can be used as optical substrates of the optical elements of the present invention, include polymeric materials, such as homopolymers and copolymers, prepared from the monomers and mixtures of monomers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,617 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,501 from column 15, line 28 to column 16, line 17. For example, such polymeric materials can be thermoplastic or thermoset polymeric materials, can be transparent or optically clear, and can have any refractive index required. Examples of such monomers and polymers include: polyol(allyl carbonate) monomers, e.g., allyl diglycol carbonates such as diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate), which monomer is sold under the trademark CR-39 by PPG Industries, Inc.; polyurea-polyurethane (polyurea-urethane) polymers, which are prepared, for example, by the reaction of a polyurethane prepolymer and a diamine curing agent, a composition for one such polymer being sold under the trademark TRIVEX by PPG Industries, Inc.; polyol(meth)acryloyl terminated carbonate monomer; diethylene glycol dimethacrylate monomers; ethoxylated phenol methacrylate monomers; diisopropenyl benzene monomers; ethoxylated trimethylol propane triacrylate monomers; ethylene glycol bismethacrylate monomers; poly(ethylene glycol) bismethacrylate monomers; urethane acrylate monomers; poly(ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate); poly(vinyl acetate); poly(vinyl alcohol); poly(vinyl chloride); poly(vinylidene chloride); polyethylene; polypropylene; polyurethanes; polythiourethanes; thermoplastic polycarbonates, such as the carbonate-linked resin derived from bisphenol A and phosgene, one such material being sold under the trademark LEXAN; polyesters, such as the material sold under the trademark MYLAR; poly(ethylene terephthalate); polyvinyl butyral; poly(methyl methacrylate), such as the material sold under the trademark PLEXIGLAS, and polymers prepared by reacting polyfunctional isocyanates with polythiols or polyepisulfide monomers, either homopolymerized or co- and/or terpolymerized with polythiols, polyisocyanates, polyisothiocyanates and optionally ethylenically unsaturated monomers or halogenated aromatic-containing vinyl monomers. Also contemplated are copolymers of such monomers and blends of the described polymers and copolymers with other polymers, for example, to form block copolymers or interpenetrating network products.

Examples of inorganic materials that can be used as optical substrates with some embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, glasses, minerals, ceramics, and metals. With some embodiments, the optical substrate can include glass. In other embodiments, the optical substrate can have a reflective surface, for example, a polished ceramic substrate, metal substrate, or mineral substrate. In other embodiments, a reflective coating or layer (e.g., a metal layer, such as a silver layer) can be deposited or otherwise applied to a surface of an inorganic or an organic substrate to make it reflective or to enhance its reflectivity.

The alignment layer of the optical element, with some embodiments, is at least partially aligned by exposing at least a portion of the alignment layer to at least one of, a magnetic field, an electric field, linearly polarized radiation, and shear force, in each case in accordance with art-recognized methods.

The optical element, with some embodiments, is selected from an ophthalmic element, a display element, a window, a mirror, and a liquid crystal cell element.

The optical element, with some further embodiments, is an ophthalmic element, which is selected from a corrective lens, a non-corrective lens, a contact lens, an intra-ocular lens, a magnifying lens, a protective lens, and a visor.

The optical element, with some embodiments, includes over at least a portion of the surface of the optical substrate, at least one additional layer, where each additional layer is independently selected from a primer layer, a protective layer, an anti-reflective layer, a reflective layer, a polarizing layer, a photochromic layer, a liquid crystal layer, and combinations thereof.

Primer layers, protective layers, anti-reflective layers, reflective layers, polarizing layers, photochromic layers, and liquid crystal layers of the optical elements of the present invention can each independently include organic matrices and/or inorganic matrices, including those as described previously herein, and can be formed in accordance with art-recognized methods including those methods described previously herein.

The optional primer coating layer can include a single layer or multiple layers, each having the same or a different composition. The optional primer layer typically includes an organic matrix, such as a thermoplastic organic matrix and/or a crosslinked organic matrix. Additionally or alternatively to an organic matrix, the optional primer layer can include an inorganic matrix, including, for example, silane linkages, siloxane linkages and/or titanate linkages. With some embodiments, the organic matrix of the optional primer layer includes, for example: acrylate residues (or monomer units) and/or methacrylate residues; vinyl residues; ether linkages; sulfide linkages, including monosulfide linkages and/or polysulfide linkages; carboxylic ester linkages; carbonate linkages (e.g., —O—C(O)—O—) urethane linkages (e.g., —N(H)—C(O)—O—); carbon-carbon linkages; and/or thiourethane linkages (e.g., —N(H)—C(O)—S—).

Typically, the optional primer layer is formed from a primer coating composition. The primer coating composition can be a curable primer coating composition, that is curable by exposure to, for example: ambient temperatures, such as in the case of two component coating compositions; elevated temperatures (e.g., 80° C. to 150° C. for 5 to 60 minutes), such as in the case of thermally cured coating compositions; or actinic radiation, such as in the case of ultraviolet light curable coating compositions.

The optional primer layer can have any suitable thickness. With some embodiments, the optional primer layer has a thickness of from 0.5 microns to 20 microns, such as from 1 to 10 microns, or from 2 to 8 microns, or from 3 to 5 microns, inclusive of the recited values.

The optional protective layer is, with some embodiments, selected from an abrasion-resistant coating, such as a “hard coat.” Each protective layer can include a single layer or multiple layers, each having the same or a different composition. The optional protective layer can be selected from abrasion-resistant coatings including organo silanes, abrasion-resistant coatings including radiation-cured acrylate-based thin films, abrasion-resistant coatings based on inorganic materials such as silica, titania and/or zirconia, organic abrasion-resistant coatings of the type that are ultraviolet light curable, oxygen barrier-coatings, UV-shielding coatings, and combinations thereof. With some embodiments, the optional protective layer is a hard coat layer that includes a first layer of a radiation-cured acrylate-based thin film and a second layer including an organo-silane. Non-limiting examples of commercially available hard coating products include CRYSTALCOAT® abrasion-resistant coatings, commercially available from SDC Coatings, Inc., and HI-GARD® coatings, commercially available from PPG Industries, Inc.

The optional protective layer can be selected from art-recognized hard coat materials, such as organo-silane abrasion-resistant coatings. Organo-silane abrasion-resistant coatings, often referred to as hard coats or silicone-based hard coatings, are well known in the art, and are commercially available from various manufacturers, such as SDC Coatings, Inc. and PPG Industries, Inc. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,973 at column 5, lines 1-45; and to U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,806 at column 1, lines 58 through column 2, line 8, and column 3, line 52 through column 5, line 50, which disclosures describe organo-silane hard coatings and which disclosures are incorporated herein by reference. Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,731,264, 5,134,191, 5,231,156 and International Patent Publication WO 94/20581 for disclosures of organo-silane hard coatings, which disclosures are also incorporated herein by reference. The hard coat layer can be applied by those coating methods as described previously herein with regard to the alignment layer, such as spin coating.

Other coatings that can be used to form the optional protective layer, include, but are not limited to, polyfunctional acrylic hard coatings, melamine-based hard coatings, urethane-based hard coatings, alkyd-based coatings, silica sol-based hard coatings or other organic or inorganic/organic hybrid hard coatings.

The optional protective layer, with some embodiments, is selected from art-recognized organo-silane type hard coatings. Organo-silane type hard coatings from which the optional protective coating layer can be selected include, but are not limited to, those disclosed at column 24, line 46 through column 28, line 11 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,414 B2, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Further examples of coating compositions from which the optional protective layer can be prepared, with some embodiments, include but are not limited to: (meth)acrylate based protective coating compositions, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,410,691; radiation curable acrylate based protective coating compositions, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,452,611 B2; thermally cured protective coating compositions, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,843; maleimide based protective coating compositions, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,811,480; and dendritic polyester (meth)acrylate based protective coating compositions, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,456.

The optional anti-reflective layer can be selected from art-recognized anti-reflective layers (or coatings), and typically includes at least two layers each having a different refractive index. With some embodiments, the optional anti-reflective layer includes a first layer having a refractive index of from 1.6 to 2.5, or from 1.95 to 2.4, and a second layer having a refractive index of from 1.30 to 1.48, or from 1.38 to 1.48. The optional anti-reflective layer includes, with some embodiments, a plurality of such alternating first and second layers. With some embodiments, the first layer of the optional anti-reflective layer includes at least one of, TiO₂, Ti₂O₃, Ti₃O₅, Pr₆O₁₁+xTiO₂, CeO₂, HfO₂, Ta₂O₅, ZrO₂, and SnO₂. With some embodiments, the second layer of the optional anti-reflective layer includes at least one of, SiO₂, MgF₂, AlF₃, BaF₂, Na₅Al₃F₁₄, Na₃AlF₆, and YF₃. Examples of anti-reflective layers from which the optional anti-reflective layer can be selected are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,450 B1 at column 1, line 56 through column 2, line 7; column 2, lines 50-65; and column 5, lines 22-58, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Each optional polarizing layer can, with some embodiments, be selected from art-recognized polarizing layers. With some embodiments, each optional polarizing layer is a conventional linearly polarizing layer formed from one or more layers of unilaterally stretched polymer films, such as unilaterally stretched polyvinyl alcohol films, optionally containing a dichroic material.

Each optional reflective layer can be selected from art-recognized reflective layers. With some embodiments, each optional reflective layer is selected from metal foils, deposited metal layers (such as metal layers deposited by art-recognized sputtering methods), and combinations thereof. The metal of each optional reflective layer can be selected from art-recognized metals, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, copper, tungsten, tin, zinc, silver, gold, nickel, chromium, and combinations of two or more thereof.

The optional photochromic layer can include a single layer or multiple layers, each having the same or a different composition. The optional photochromic layer typically includes an organic matrix, such as a thermoplastic organic matrix and/or a crosslinked organic matrix, such as described previously herein with regard to the optional primer layer. Each optional photochromic layer includes one or more art-recognized photochromic compounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds. Classes of photochromic compounds that can be included in each optional photochromic layer include, but are not limited to, indeno-fused naphthopyrans, naphtho[1,2-b]pyrans, naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans, spirofluoroeno[1,2-b]pyrans, phenanthropyrans, quinolinopyrans, fluoroanthenopyrans, spiropyrans, benzoxazines, naphthoxazines, spiro(indoline)naphthoxazines, spiro(indoline)pyridobenzoxazines, spiro(indoline)fluoranthenoxazines, spiro(indoline)quinoxazines, fulgides, fulgimides, diarylethenes, diarylalkylethenes, diarylalkenylethenes, and combinations of two or more thereof.

The photochromic compounds that can be included in the photochromic layer of the optical element of the present invention include, or can be, with some embodiments, photochromic-dichroic materials and compounds. The photochromic-dichroic materials and compounds can, with some embodiments, be selected from art-recognized photochromic-dichroic materials and compounds. Photochromic-dichroic compounds typically have a photochromic group (P) and at least one lengthening agent or group (L) covalently bonded to the photochromic group. The photochromic groups of the photochromic-dichroic compounds can be selected from those classes and examples as described previously herein with regard to the photochromic compounds, such as, but not limited to, pyrans, oxazines, fulgides, and indeno-fused naphthopyrans. Examples of photochromic-dichroic compounds that can be included in the photochromic layer of the optical elements of the present invention, include, but are not limited to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,921 B2 at column 19, line 3 through column 22, line 46, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Examples of lengthening groups (L) and photochromic groups (P) include, but are not limited to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,256,921 B2 at column 22, line 47 through column 35, line 27, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

The photochromic compounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds can be present in the photochromic layer, in amounts (or ratios) such that the resulting photochromic layer (and the coated optical element) exhibits desired optical properties. For purposes of non-limiting illustration, the amount and types of photochromic compounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds can be selected such that the photochromic layer is clear or colorless when the photochromic compounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds are in the closed-form (e.g., in the bleached or unactivated state), and can exhibit a desired resultant color when the photochromic compounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds are in the open-form (e.g., when activated by actinic radiation). The precise amount of the photochromic compounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds that are utilized is not critical, provided that at least a sufficient amount is used to produce the desired effect. The particular amount of the photochromic compounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds used can depend on a variety of factors, such as but not limited to, the absorption characteristics of the photochromic compounds and/or photochromic-dichroic compounds, and the color and intensity of the color desired upon activation. In accordance with some embodiments of the method of the present invention, the amount of the photochromic compound(s) and/or photochromic-dichroic compound(s) that are present in the photochromic layer formed over the optical substrate of the optical element can range from 0.01 to 40 weight percent, or from 0.05 to 15, or from 0.1 to 5 weight percent, based on the weight of the photochromic coating layer.

With some embodiments, two or more photochromic compounds are used in combination with each other and/or with one or more photochromic-dichroic compounds, so as to complement one another and to produce a desired color or hue. For example, mixtures of photochromic compounds can be used with some embodiments to attain certain activated colors, such as a near neutral gray or near neutral brown. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,767, column 12, line 66 to column 13, line 19, the disclosure of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein, which describes the parameters that define neutral gray and brown colors.

The photochromic layer can have any suitable thickness, provided it provides a desirable level of photochromic properties, such as but not limited to a desirable range of optical density values. With some embodiments, each photochromic layer independently has a thickness of from 0.5 to 50 microns, such as from 1 to 45 microns, or from 2 to 40 microns, or from 5 to 30 microns, or from 10 to 25 microns.

Each optional liquid crystal layer can include a single layer or multiple layers, each having the same or a different composition. The optional liquid crystal layer typically includes an organic matrix, such as a thermoplastic organic matrix and/or a crosslinked organic matrix, such as described previously herein with regard to the optional primer layer, but further possessing liquid crystal properties. With some embodiments each optional liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal material selected from art-recognized materials, such as, but not limited to, liquid crystal compounds, liquid crystal oligomers, liquid crystal polymers, dichroic compounds, photochromic-dichroic compounds, and combinations thereof. The liquid crystal layer can be applied by art-recognized methods, such as described previously herein with regard to the alignment layer.

The optical element, with some embodiments of the present invention, further includes a liquid crystal layer, such as described above, over at least a portion of the alignment layer, where at least a portion of the liquid crystal layer is at least partially aligned with an alignment direction of the alignment layer. The alignment layer can be provided with an alignment direction in accordance with art-recognized methods, such as described previously herein.

The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples, which are intended as illustrative only, since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

EXAMPLES

In Part 1 of the following examples, there are provided descriptions of the preparation of monomers from which polymers of the present invention can be prepared (Examples 1-17). In Part 2 of the following examples, there are provided descriptions of the preparation of polymers according to the present invention (Examples A-X). In Part 3 of the following examples, the preparation of alignment polymer solutions and liquid crystal coating formulations are described. In Part 4 of the following examples, there is described the formation and evaluation of test samples having in sequence: (i) a solvent cleaned and corona treated substrate; (ii) an at least partially aligned alignment polymer layer on (i); and (iii) a cured liquid crystal coating formulation layer on (ii).

Part 1

Monomers from which the polymers of the present invention can be prepared are described in the following Examples 1-17.

Example 1

Step 1

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (20.8 g) and 2-aminophenol (16.4 g) were added to dichlorobenzene (150 mL) in a single neck round bottom flask fitted with a Dean-Stark trap and reflux condenser. Boric acid (1.2 g) was added and the reaction mixture was refluxed at 205° C. for 22 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the solidified mixture was added to hexanes (600 mL) and stirred for 30 minutes. The precipitated solid was collected and dried under vacuum to yield an off-white powder (29.13 g). NMR spectrum of the resulting material was consistent with 4-benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenol.

Step 2

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, the product from Step 1 (10.0 g), 6-chlorohexan-1-ol (7.11 g) and potassium carbonate (9.81 g) were combined in dimethylformamide (70 mL). The reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. for 18 hours. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was poured into ice water. The precipitated solid was collected and dried under vacuum to yield an off-white powder (14.72 g). NMR spectrum of the resulting material was consistent with 6-(4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenoxy)hexan-1-ol.

Step 3

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, the product from Step 2 (7.00 g), triethylamine (5.70 g), dimethylaminopyridine (0.035 g) and 3,5-di-tert-4-butylhydroxytoluene (0.10 g) were dissolved in dichloromethane (100 mL). The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath and methacryloyl chloride (3.53 g) was added slowly. After addition was complete, the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate and brine, followed by drying with magnesium sulfate. After removing organic solvent under reduced pressure, the crude residue was purified by silica gel chromatography and recrystallization from hexanes/ethyl acetate to yield a colorless solid (5.04 g). NMR spectrum of the resulting material was consistent with 6(4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenoxy)hexyl methacrylate.

Example 2

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, the product from Example 1, Step 1 (0.69 g), 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid (1.20 g), dimethylaminopyridine (0.04 g), 3,5-di-tert-4-butylhydroxytoluene (0.10 g) and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.74 g) were dissolved in dichloromethane (20 ml). After 16 hours, the reaction mixture was filtered to remove urea byproduct and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography followed by recrystallization from hexanes/ethyl acetate to yield a colorless solid (1.44 g). NMR spectrum of the resulting material was consistent with 4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenyl 4-((6-((methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoate.

Example 3

The procedure of Example 2 was followed, except an equimolar amount of 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoic acid was used in place of 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid. A colorless solid (4.05 g) was obtained and NMR spectrum was consistent with 4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenyl 4-((6-methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoate.

Example 4

The procedure of Example 2 was followed, except an equimolar amount of 3-fluoro-4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoic acid was used in place of 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid. A colorless solid (2.49 g) was obtained and NMR spectrum was consistent with 4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenyl 3-fluoro-4-((6-methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoate.

Example 5

The procedure of Example 2 was followed, except an equimolar amount of 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methylbenzoic acid was used in place of 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid. A colorless solid (0.61 g) was obtained and NMR spectrum was consistent with 4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenyl 4-((6-methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methylbenzoate.

Example 6

Step 1

Syringic acid (18.7 g) was added to a solution of potassium hydroxide (13.24 g) in ethanol (225 mL)/water (75 mL) and heated to reflux for 1 hour. After cooling to room temperature, 2-((6-chlorohexyl)oxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran (25.0 g) and potassium iodide (0.5 g) in ethanol/water mixture (75 mL) were added drop wise and the reaction was refluxed for 72 hours. Ethanol was removed under reduced pressure and the aqueous mixture was neutralized with 1.0 M hydrochloric acid then extracted with dichloromethane. The organic layers were combined, dried with magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue (37.4 g) was used without further purification.

Step 2

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, the product from Step 1 (9.94 g), the product from Example 1, Step 1 (5.00 g), dimethylaminopyridine (0.03 g) and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (5.36 g) were dissolved in dichloromethane (120 ml). After 24 hours, the reaction mixture was filtered to remove urea byproduct and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude residue was purified by silica gel chromatography to yield a colorless solid (4.56 g).

Step 3

The product from Step 2 (4.50 g) was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (40 mL) with methanol (40 mL). p-Toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (0.15 g) was added and the mixture was heated to reflux. After 6 hours, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, the volume was decreased under reduced pressure and the concentrate was added to water to precipitate the product. A colorless solid was collected (3.78 g).

Step 4

The procedure of Example 1, Step 3 was followed, substituting the product of Step 3 above (3.70 g) in place of the product of Example 1, Step 2. A colorless solid (2.60 g) was obtained and NMR spectrum was consistent with 4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)phenyl 4-((6-methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3,5-dim ethyl benzoate.

Example 7

Step 1

Vanillic acid (8.41 g) and 2-aminophenol (5.46 g) were combined in a 100 mL round bottom flask. Trimethylsilyl polyphosphate (25 mL) was added neat and the mixture was heated to 180° C. for 45 minutes. The black mixture was poured over ice and stirred for 16 hours. The precipitate was filtered and dried to yield a greenish grey powder (10.63 g). NMR spectrum was consistent with 4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-2methoxyphenol.

Steps 2 and 3

The procedure of Example 1, Steps 2 and 3 were followed, except an equimolar amount of the product of Step 1 above was used in place of the product of Example 1, Step 2 to yield an off-white solid (2.60 g) intermediate after Step 2. The final product was a colorless solid (1.02 g) with an NMR spectrum consistent with 6-(4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-2-methoxyphenoxy)hexyl methacrylate.

Example 8

Step 1

The procedure of Example 7, Step 1 was followed, except an equimolar amount of syringic acid was used in place of vanillic acid. A purple powder (10.84 g) was obtained and NMR spectrum was consistent with 4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenol.

Steps 2 and 3

The procedure of Example 1, Steps 2 and 3 were followed, except an equimolar amount of the product of Step 1 above was used in place of the product of Example 1, Step 2 to yield a red oil (2.95 g) after Step 2. The final product after Step 3 was an off-white solid (1.79 g) with an NMR spectrum consistent with 6-(4-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)hexyl methacrylate.

Example 9

Step 1

Benzo[b]furan-2-ylboronic acid (9.0 g), 4-iodophenol (11.12 g), and sodium carbonate (10.71 g) were added to a mixture of acetone (270 mL) and water (315 mL). The mixture was de-gassed for 15 minutes, palladium acetate (1.13 g) was added and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. Acetone was removed under reduced pressure and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic extracts were combined, dried with magnesium sulfate, filtered over celite and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel chromatography followed by recrystallization from hexanes/ethyl acetate to yield colorless crystals (8.58 g).

Steps 2 and 3

The procedure of Example 1, Steps 2 and 3 were followed, except an equimolar amount of the product of Step 1 above (2.343 g) was used in place of the product of Example 1, Step 2 to yield a colorless solid (3.23 g) after Step 2. The final product after Step 3 was a colorless solid (2.45 g) with an NMR spectrum consistent with 6-(4-(benzofuran-2-yl)phenoxy)hexyl methacrylate.

Example 10

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, the product from Example 9, Step 1 (2.50 g), 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid (4.40 g), dimethylaminopyridine (0.15 g), 3,5-di-tert-4-butylhydroxytoluene (0.10 g) and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (2.70 g) were dissolved in dichloromethane (60 ml). After 16 hours, the reaction mixture was filtered to remove urea byproduct and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude residue was purified by silica gel chromatography followed by recrystallization from hexanes/dichloromethane to yield a colorless solid (4.68 g). NMR spectrum of the resulting material was consistent with 4-(benzofuran-2-yl)phenyl 4-((6-((methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoate.

Example 11

The procedure of Example 10 was followed, except an equimolar amount of 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoic acid was used in place of 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid. A colorless solid (4.03 g) was obtained with an NMR spectrum consistent with 4-(benzofuran-2-yl)phenyl 4-((6-methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoate.

Example 12

Step 1

The procedure of Example 9, Step 1 was followed, except an equimolar amount of benzo[b]thiophen-2-ylboronic acid was used in place of benzo[b]furan-2-ylboronic acid to yield a colorless solid (8.63 g).

Step 2

The procedure of Example 10 was followed, except an equimolar amount of the product of Step 1 was used in place of the product of Example 9, Step 1. A colorless solid (3.96 g) was obtained and NMR spectrum was consistent with 4-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)phenyl 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)-3-methoxybenzoate.

Example 13

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, the product from Example 12, Step 1 (2.50 g), 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoic acid (3.71 g), dimethylaminopyridine (0.13 g), 3,5-di-tert-4-butylhydroxytoluene (0.10 g) and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (2.50 g) were dissolved in dichloromethane (60 ml). After 16 hours, the reaction mixture was filtered to remove urea byproduct and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude residue was purified by silica gel chromatography followed by recrystallization from hexanes/dichloromethane to yield a colorless solid (3.84 g). NMR spectrum of the resulting material was consistent with 4-(benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl)phenyl 4-((6-((methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoate.

Example 14

Step 1

4-(Trifluoromethyl)phenol (10.0 g) and 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine (8.15 g) were combined in 1.0 N sodium hydroxide (245 mL) and heated to 80° C. After 2 hours, the reaction mixture was neutralized with 1.0 M hydrochloric acid and precipitate was collected. Recrystallization with methanol and water yielded a light brown solid (9.80 g).

Steps 2 and 3

The procedure of Example 1, Steps 2 and 3 were followed, except the product of Step 1 above (3.00 g) was used in place of the product of Example 1, Step 2 to yield an off-white solid (3.67 g). The final product after Step 3 was a colorless solid (2.15 g) with an NMR spectrum consistent with 6-(4-(oxazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)phenoxy)hexyl methacrylate.

Example 15

Step 1

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[d]thiazole (5.0 g) was dissolved in dichloromethane (50 mL) and cooled in an ice bath. Boron tribromide (10.38 g) was added slowly and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After 16 hours, the reaction was quenched with water and 1.0 M hydrochloric acid. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with 1.0 M hydrochloric acid followed by brine. The organic layer was dried with magnesium sulfate, concentrated under reduced pressure and the product was precipitated from tetrahydrofuran with hexanes to yield a colorless solid (4.60 g).

Steps 2 and 3

The procedure of Example 1, Steps 2 and 3 were followed, except the product of Step 1 above (3.00 g) was used in place of the product of Example 1, Step 2 to yield an off-white solid (2.96 g). The final product after Step 3 was a colorless solid (1.26 g) with an NMR spectrum consistent with 6-(4-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)phenoxy)hexyl methacrylate.

Example 16

Step 1

While stirring under a nitrogen atmosphere, 2-amino-4-methoxyphenol (3.0 g) and 4-fluorobenzaldehyde (4.1 g) were combined in methanol (40 mL) and heated at 45° C. for 16 hours. Methanol was removed under vacuum to give the Schiff base as an orange solid. After dissolving in dichloromethane (50 mL), 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ, 6.0 g) was added portion wise and the reaction mixture became a dark purple color as the solution stirred for 30 minutes. Dichloromethane was removed under vacuum and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate followed by brine and dried with sodium sulfate. The material was purified by silica gel chromatography to yield a colorless solid (4.64 g).

Step 2

The procedure of Example 15, Step 1 was followed, except the product of Step 1 above (4.5 g) was used in place of the commercially available material to yield a colorless solid (3.82 g) with an NMR spectrum consistent with 2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzo[d]oxazol-5-ol.

Steps 3 and 4

The procedure of Example 1, Steps 2 and 3 were followed, except the product of Step 2 above (2.80 g) was used in place of the product of Example 1, Step 2 to yield an off-white solid (3.78 g). The final product after Step 4 was a colorless solid (3.02 g) with an NMR spectrum consistent with 6-((2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzo[d]oxazol-5-yl)oxy)hexyl methacrylate.

Example 17

The procedure of Example 13 was followed, except the product of Example 16, Step 2 (1.0 g) was used in place of the product of Example 12, Step 1. A colorless solid (1.37 g) was obtained having an NMR spectrum that was consistent with 2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzo[d]oxazol-5-yl 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoate.

Part 2

The preparation of polymers according to the present invention are described in the following Examples A through X.

In the following Examples A through X, all reaction mixtures were subjected to cooling in a dry ice/acetone bath, followed by degassing by vacuum pump and filling with nitrogen for five cycles prior to conducting the describe polymerization reactions.

In the following Examples A through X, molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) in THF, using polystyrene standards; and in each case weight average molecular weight (Mw) values are reported.

Example A

The monomer of Example 1 (2.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0087 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 60° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.89 g) with a molecular weight of 79,400.

Example B

The monomer of Example 1 (2.00 g), 2-[(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)carboxyamino]ethyl methacrylate (0.44 g), and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0087 g), were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 65° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (2.32 g) with a molecular weight of 80,700.

The following Formula (B-2) is a representative structure of 2-[(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)carboxyamino]ethyl methacrylate:

Example C

The product from Example 1, Step 3 (1.00 g), (E)-2-methoxy-4-(3-methoxy-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)phenyl 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoate (0.06 g), and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.005 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 65° C. for 6.5 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.05 g) with a molecular weight of 80,000.

The following Formula (C-2) is a representative structure of (E)-2-methoxy-4-(3-methoxy-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)phenyl 4-((6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyl)oxy)benzoate:

Example D

The product from Example 1, Step 3 (1.00 g), methylmethacrylate (0.013 g), and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.005 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 65° C. for 6.5 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.00 g) with a molecular weight of 74,000.

Example E

The product from Example 1, Step 3 (1.00 g), butylmethacrylate (0.02 g), and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.005 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 65° C. for 6.5 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.95 g) with a molecular weight of 79,000.

Example F

The product from Example 2 (1.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0031 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 65° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.92 g) with a molecular weight of 72,000.

Example G

The product from Example 2, Step 3 (2.00 g), (Z)-2-((((butan-2-ylideneamino)oxy)carbonyl)amino)ethyl methacrylate (1.26 g), and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0062 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (10 mL) in a 25 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (2.19 g) with a molecular weight of 74,000.

The following Formula (G-2) is a representative structure of (Z)-2-((((butan-2-ylideneamino)oxy)carbonyl)amino)ethyl methacrylate:

Example H

The product from Example 3 (2.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0066 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (10 mL) in a 25 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 65° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.80 g) with a molecular weight of 67,100.

Example I

The product from Example 4 (1.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.003 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.96 g) with a molecular weight of 77,200.

Example J

The product from Example 5 (0.50 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0016 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (2.5 mL) in a 5 mL Schlenk flask. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 65° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.44 g with a molecular weight of 83,500.

Example K

The product from Example 6, Step 4 (1.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.003 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.99 g) with a molecular weight of 73,200.

Example L

The product from Example 7, Step 3 (1.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.004 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.78 g) with a molecular weight of 74,000.

Example M

The product from Example 8, Step 3 (1.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.004 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.96 g) with a molecular weight of 92,700.

Example N

The product from Example 9, Step 3 (1.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.004 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.97 g) with a molecular weight of 90,900.

Example O

The product from Example 10 (2.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0062 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (10 mL) in a 25 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.78 g) with a molecular weight of 78,900.

Example P

The product from Example 11 (2.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0066 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (10 mL) in a 25 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.80 g) with a molecular weight of 76,700.

Example Q

The product from Example 12, Step 2 (2.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0060 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (10 mL) in a 25 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled in a dry ice/acetone bath and degassed by vacuum pump followed by filling with nitrogen. The process was repeated five times. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.81 g) with a molecular weight of 66,000.

Example R

The product from Example 13 (2.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0064 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (10 mL) in a 25 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.89 g).

Example S

The product from Example 14, Step 3 (1.00 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0043 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.91 g) with a molecular weight of 20,800.

Example T

The product from Example 15, Step 3 (0.50 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0021 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (2.5 mL) in a 5 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.45 g) with a molecular weight of 58,200.

Example U

The product from Example 1, Step 3 (1.00 g), the product of Example 15, Step 3 (0.18 g), and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0051 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 65° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.10 g) with a molecular weight of 60,100.

Example V

The product from Example 6, Step 1 (1.00 g), the product of Example 15, Step 3 (0.13 g), and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0036 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (5 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled and degassed as described above. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 12 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (1.06 g) with a molecular weight of 93,100.

Example W

The product from Example 16, Step 4 (0.50 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0021 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (3 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled in a dry ice/acetone bath and degassed by vacuum pump followed by filling with nitrogen. The process was repeated five times. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 4 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.41 g) with a molecular weight (Mw) of 70,160.

Example X

The product from Example 17 (0.65 g) and 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (0.0021 g) were dissolved in cyclopentanone (3 mL) in a 10 mL Schlenk flask. The reaction mixture was cooled in a dry ice/acetone bath and degassed by vacuum pump followed by filling with nitrogen. The process was repeated five times. After warming to room temperature, the mixture was heated to 62° C. for 4 hours. The resulting polymer was precipitated in methanol and dried at 40° C. under vacuum to give a colorless solid (0.41 g) with a molecular weight (Mw) of 149,000.

Part 3

Part 3-1: Alignment Polymer Solutions

The alignment polymers of Examples A, C, F, G, and U were each diluted to an alignment polymer solids content of 6 percent by weight, based on total solution weight, with cyclopentanone. Each alignment polymer solution was passed through a 30 mm TEFLON syringe filter (having a pore size of 0.45 microns) prior to use in Part 4.

Part 3-2: Liquid Crystal Coating Formulations (LCCF's)

Liquid crystal coating formulations 1, 2, and 3 were prepared using the materials and amounts (shown in grams) as summarized in the following Table 1.

TABLE 1 LCCF-1 LCCF-2 LCCF-3 Anisole 3.2 3.2 3.2 BYK ®-322¹ 0.0034 0.0034 0.0034 RM 257² 2.4 2.4 2.4 RM 105³ 2.4 2.4 2.4 4-methoxyphenol 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 IRGACURE ® 819⁴ 0.0720 0.0720 0.0720 Fixed tint dichroic dye⁵ — 0.105 — Photochromic dichroic dye⁶ — — 0.312 ¹BYK ®-322 is an aralkyl modified poly-methyl-alkyl-siloxane commercially available from BYK Chemie, USA. ²RM 257 is a liquid crystal monomer reported to be 4-(3-acryloyloxypropyloxy)-benzoic acid 2-methyl-1,4-phenylene ester, commercially available from EMD Chemicals, Inc. ³RM 105 is a liquid crystal monomer reported to be 4-methoxy-3-methylphenyl 4-(6-(acryloyloxy)hexyloxy)benzoate, commercially available from EMD Chemicals, Inc. ⁴IRGACURE ® 819 is a photoinitiator commercially available from BASF Corporation. ⁵The fixed tint dichroic dye is a dichroic polyazo dye that was prepared according to Example 1C in the following reference: Shigeo YASUI, Masaru MATSUOKA, Teijiro KITAO, Journal of the Japan Society of Colour Material, Vol. 61 (1988) No. 12 p. 678-68. ⁶The photochromic dichroic dye was prepared according to Example 44 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,518,546 B2.

Liquid crystal coating formulations 1 through 3 were prepared by combining the components and amounts as summarized in Table 1, stirring for two hours at 80° C., followed by cooling to room temperature. To each formulation anhydrous magnesium sulfate was added at 10% by weight of solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 30 minutes, and then filtering with an EMD Millipore Ultrafree™-CL Centrifugal Filter Device.

Part 4

Part 4-1: Test Substrate Preparation.

Square substrates measuring 5.08 cm by 5.08 cm by 0.318 cm (2 inches (in.) by 2 in. by 0.125 in.) prepared from CR-39® monomer were obtained from Homalite, Inc. Each substrate was cleaned by wiping with a tissue soaked with acetone and drying with a stream of air.

Each of the acetone cleaned square substrates was corona treated by passing on a conveyor belt in a Tantec EST Systems Serial No. 020270 Power Generator HV 2000 series corona treatment apparatus, equipped with a high voltage transformer. The acetone cleaned square substrates were exposed to corona generated by 70.00 KV, 1000 Watts while traveling on a conveyor at a belt speed 3 ft/min, which resulted in the formation of the test substrates used in Parts 4-2 and 4-3 further herein.

Part 4-2: Application of Alignment Polymer Solutions.

The alignment polymer solutions of Examples A, C, F, G and U prepared in Part 3-1 were each separately applied to separate test substrates (formed in Part 4-1) by spin-coating on the corona treated surface of the test substrate by dispensing approximately 1.0 mL of the solution and spinning the test substrate at 800 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 3 seconds, followed by 1,000 rpm for 7 seconds, followed by 2,500 rpm for 4 seconds using a spin processor from Laurell Technologies Corp. (WS-400B-6NPP/LITE). The test substrates with alignment polymer solutions applied thereto were placed in an oven maintained at 120° C. for 30 minutes, followed by cooling to room temperature.

The dried alignment polymer layer on each of the test substrates was at least partially ordered by exposure to linearly polarized ultraviolet radiation using a 500 W flood exposure source with digital exposure controller equipped with a Hg arc lamp (all from Newport Corporation, model no longer commercially available) with a Moxtek wire grid polarizer (200 mm diameter ProFlux polarizer, PPL04A). The light source was oriented such that the radiation was linearly polarized in a plane perpendicular to the surface of the test substrate. The amount of ultraviolet radiation that each alignment polymer layer was exposed to is summarized as follows: UVA 0.17 W/cm² and 29.9 J/cm²; UVB 0.0 W/cm² and 0.0 J/cm²; UVC 0 W/cm² and 0 J/cm²; and UVV 0.005 W/cm² and 9.466 J/cm² in each case as measured using a UV Power Puck™ High energy radiometer from EIT Inc (Serial No. 2066). After at least partially ordering each alignment polymer layer, the test substrates were cooled to room temperature and kept covered.

Part 4-3: Application of Liquid Crystal Coating Formulations.

The liquid crystal coating formulations (LCCF's 1, 2, and 3) prepared in Part 3-2 were each spin coated at a rate of 1,000 rpm/10 seconds onto the at least partially ordered alignment polymer layers of the test squares prepared in Part 4-2. Each LCCF coated test substrate was placed in an oven at 50° C. for 30 minutes. Afterwards, each dried LCCF coated test substrate was cured under two ultraviolet lamps in a UV Curing Oven Machine designed and built by Belcan Engineering in nitrogen atmosphere while running on a conveyor belt at 2 ft/min speed at peak intensities of 0.513 Watts/cm² of UVA and 0.236 Watts/cm² of UVV and UV dosages of 8.659 Joules/cm² of UVA and 3.887 Joules/cm² of UVV. Curing of the LCCF layers resulted in the formation of test samples each having in sequence: (i) a solvent cleaned and corona treated substrate, as described in Part 4-1; (ii) an at least partially aligned alignment polymer layer on (i), as described in Part 4-2; and (iii) a cured LCCF layer on (ii), as described in Part 4-3.

Test samples coated with LCCF-1 and LCCF-2 were held parallel to the light source of a Polariscope and turned 90° for determination of alignment. Test samples coated with LCCF-3 were activated with ambient outdoor light before evaluation under a Polariscope to confirm alignment as described above. Alignment was confirmed when a visual difference in transmittance was observed on rotating the test sample. The results of the alignment evaluations are summarized in the following Table 2.

TABLE 2 Liquid Crystal Alignment Example Alignment Coating Observed? Number Polymer Formulation (Yes/No) A-1 Example A LCCF-1 Yes C-1 Example C LCCF-1 Yes F-1 Example F LCCF-1 Yes G-1 Example G LCCF-1 Yes U-1 Example U LCCF-1 Yes A-2 Example A LCCF-2 Yes C-2 Example C LCCF-2 Yes F-2 Example F LCCF-2 Yes G-2 Example G LCCF-2 Yes U-2 Example U LCCF-2 Yes A-3 Example A LCCF-3 Yes C-3 Example C LCCF-3 Yes F-3 Example F LCCF-3 Yes G-3 Example G LCCF-3 Yes U-3 Example U LCCF-3 Yes

The present invention has been described with reference to specific details of particular embodiments thereof. It is not intended that such details be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention except insofar as to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A polymer comprising at least one residue of at least one monomer represented by the following Formula (I),

wherein for Formula (I), Ring-A is phenyl, E is N or C—R¹, D is selected from the group consisting of O and N—R², wherein R¹ of E and R² of D are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, and phenyl, L¹ and L⁴ are each independently selected from at least one of: a single bond; —O—; —S—; —C(O)—; —S(O)—; —SO₂—; —N═N—; —N(R₁₁′)— where R₁₁′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, and phenyl; and linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, t is 0 to 4, s is, independently for each g, from 1 to 4, g is 0 to 4, provided that the sum of t and g is at least 1, m is 0, for each t, q is 0, for each s, p is, independently for each t, from 0 to 4, provided p is at least 1 for at least one t that is greater than zero, r is, independently for each s, from 1 to 4, L³ independently for each p, and L⁶ independently for each r, are in each case independently represented by the following Formula (II-2),

Y is, independently for each p and independently for each r, a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—, v and u are each independently, for each p and each r, 0 to 5, provided that the sum of v and u is at least 2 for each p that is greater than zero and the sum of v and u is at least 1 for each r that is greater than zero, Z is, independently for each v, a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—, wherein the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, from the group consisting of phenylen-1,4-diyl, cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, indane-2,5(6)-diyl, fluorene-2,-7-diyl, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl, piperidin-1,4-diyl, and, piperazin-1,4-diyl, and E¹ and E² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, and interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, wherein each interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl is independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, and —C(O)O—, provided that at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of (linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, hydroxyl, thiol, amine, isocyanate, aldehyde, and combinations thereof, provided that a direct L¹-L³ link between L¹ and L³ is free of two heteroatoms linked together, and further provided that a direct L⁴-L⁶ link between L⁴ and L⁶ is free of two heteroatoms linked together.
 2. The polymer of claim 1, wherein for Formula (I), provided that at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of (meth)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, hydroxyl, thiol, and combinations thereof.
 3. The polymer of claim 2, wherein for Formula (I), R¹ of E and R² of D are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, independently for each L³, and independently for each L⁶, Z is, independently for each v, selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O— and —C(O)O—, and the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, from the group consisting of phenylen-1,4-diyl, and cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, and provided that at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of (meth)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, hydroxyl, thiol, and combinations thereof.
 4. The polymer of claim 3, wherein for Formula (I), provided that at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, (meth)acryloyl.
 5. The polymer of claim 4, wherein said polymer further comprises at least one residue of an additional monomer selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid, hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate, substituted hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, and combinations thereof.
 6. The polymer of claim 3, wherein for Formula (I), D is O.
 7. The polymer of claim 1, wherein for Formula (I), L¹ and L⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of one of the following Formulas IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IIIe, or IIIf,

wherein R⁷ is selected from linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkylene,

wherein R⁸ is selected from linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkylene,

wherein R^(b) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl, and

wherein R^(c) and R^(d) are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl.
 8. The polymer of claim 3, wherein for Formula (I), each L³ and each L⁶, are in each case independently selected from the group consisting of the following formulas,


9. The polymer of claim 1, wherein for Formula (I), at least one of L³ and L⁶ independently is a mesogenic group, and said polymer is a mesogenic polymer.
 10. The polymer of claim 1, further comprising at least one residue of at least one further monomer represented by the following Formula (V), E³

(L³)_(p)-(L²)_(m)

_(t′)-L¹E⁴  Formula (V) wherein, t′ is from 1 to 4, L¹, and L³, are each independently as described for Formula (I), m for Formula (V) is, independently for each t′, from 0 to 4, p is, independently for each t′, from 0 to 4, provided the sum of m and p is at least one for each t′, L² for Formula (V) is, independently for each m, selected from the group consisting of divalent linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, and divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, wherein each divalent interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, is independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—, and E³ and E⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, and interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, wherein each interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl is independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, and —C(O)O—, provided that E³ is, or is substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of (linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, hydroxyl, thiol, amine, isocyanate, aldehyde, and combinations thereof.
 11. The polymer of claim 10, wherein said polymer comprises at least one polymer segment represented by the following Formula (VI),

wherein E^(1a) independently for each x is a divalent residue of E¹ of Formula (I), E^(2a) independently for each y is a divalent residue of E² of Formula (I), and E^(3a) independently for each z is a divalent residue of E³ of Formula (V), h is from 1 to 10,000, x is from 0 to 10 for each h, y is from 0 to 10 for each h, and z is from 0 to 10 for each h, provided that the sum of x, y, and z is at least one for each h, and provided that the sum of x and y is at least one for at least one h.
 12. An alignment layer comprising at least one polymer of claim
 1. 13. An article of manufacture comprising said alignment layer of claim
 12. 14. The article of manufacture of claim 13, wherein said article of manufacture is an optical element comprising: an optical substrate; and said alignment layer resides over at least a portion of a surface of said substrate.
 15. The optical element of claim 14, wherein said alignment layer is at least partially aligned by exposing at least a portion of said alignment layer to at least one of, a magnetic field, an electric field, linearly polarized radiation, and shear force.
 16. The optical element of claim 14, wherein said optical element is selected from an ophthalmic element, a display element, a window, a mirror, and a liquid crystal cell element.
 17. The ophthalmic element of claim 16, wherein said ophthalmic element is selected from a corrective lens, a non-corrective lens, a contact lens, an intra-ocular lens, a magnifying lens, a protective lens, and a visor.
 18. The optical element of claim 14, further comprising, over at least a portion of said surface of said substrate, at least one additional layer, wherein each additional layer is independently selected from a primer layer, a protective layer, an anti-reflective layer, a reflective layer, a polarizing layer, a photochromic layer, a liquid crystal layer, and combinations thereof.
 19. The optical element of claim 14, further comprising a liquid crystal layer over at least a portion of said alignment layer, wherein at least a portion of said liquid crystal layer is at least partially aligned with an alignment direction of said alignment layer.
 20. A polymer comprising at least one residue of at least one monomer represented by the following Formula (I),

wherein for Formula (I), Ring-A is phenyl, E is N or C—R¹, D is O, wherein R¹ of E is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, L¹ and L⁴ are each independently selected from at least one of: a single bond; —O—; —S—; —C(O)—; —S(O)—; —SO₂—; —N═N—; —N(R₁₁′)— where R₁₁′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, and phenyl; and linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, t is 0 to 4, s is, independently for each g, from 1 to 4, g is 0 to 4, provided that the sum oft and g is at least 1, m is 0, for each t, q is 0, for each s, p is, independently for each t, from 0 to 4, provided p is at least 1 for at least one t that is greater than zero, r is, independently for each s, from 1 to 4, L³ independently for each p, and L⁶ independently for each r, are in each case independently represented by the following Formula (II-2),

Y is, independently for each p and independently for each r, a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—, v and u are each independently, for each p and each r, 0 to 5, provided that the sum of v and u is at least 2 for each p that is greater than zero and the sum of v and u is at least 1 for each r that is greater than zero, Z is, independently for each v, a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O—, and —C(O)O—, and wherein the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, from the group consisting of phenylen-1,4-diyl, and cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, and E¹ and E² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, and interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, wherein each interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl is independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, and —C(O)O—, provided that at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of (meth)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, hydroxyl, thiol, and combinations thereof, provided that a direct L¹-L³ link between L¹ and L³ is free of two heteroatoms linked together, and further provided that a direct L⁴-L⁶ link between L⁴ and L⁶ is free of two heteroatoms linked together.
 21. A polymer comprising at least one residue of at least one monomer represented by the following Formula (I),

wherein for Formula (I), Ring-A is phenyl, E is N or C—R¹, D is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N—R², wherein R¹ of E and R² of D are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, linear or branched C₂-C₁₀ alkenyl, C₃-C₁₀ cycloalkyl, and phenyl, L¹ and L⁴ are each independently selected from the group consisting of one of the following Formulas IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IIId, IIIe, or IIIf,

wherein R⁷ is selected from linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkylene,

wherein R⁸ is selected from linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkylene,

wherein R^(b) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl, or

wherein R^(c) and R^(d) are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl t is 0 to 4, s is, independently for each g, from 1 to 4, g is 0 to 4, provided that the sum oft and g is at least 1, m is 0, for each t, q is 0, for each s, p is, independently for each t, from 0 to 4, provided p is at least 1 for at least one t that is greater than zero, r is, independently for each s, from 1 to 4, L³ independently for each p, and L⁶ independently for each r, are in each case independently represented by the following Formula (II-2),

Y is, independently for each p and independently for each r, a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—, v and u are each independently, for each p and each r, 0 to 5, provided that the sum of v and u is at least 2 for each p that is greater than zero and the sum of v and u is at least 1 for each r that is greater than zero, Z is, independently for each v, a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of a single bond, —O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —C(O)O—, and —OC(O)O—, wherein the divalent rings,

are each independently selected, for each v and each u, from the group consisting of phenylen-1,4-diyl, cyclohexan-1,4-diyl, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, decahydronaphthalene-2,6-diyl, indane-2,5(6)-diyl, fluorene-2,-7-diyl, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl, 9,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl, piperidin-1,4-diyl, and, piperazin-1,4-diyl, and E¹ and E² are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, and interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, wherein each interrupted linear or branched C₁-C₁₀ alkyl is independently interrupted with at least one interrupting group selected from the group consisting of —O—, and —C(O)O—, provided that at least one of E¹ and E² independently is, or is independently substituted with, at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of (linear or branched C₁-C₈ alkyl)acryloyl, unsubstituted styrene, substituted styrene, oxirane, thiirane, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, hydroxyl, thiol, amine, isocyanate, aldehyde, and combinations thereof, provided that a direct L¹-L³ link between L¹ and L³ is free of two heteroatoms linked together, and further provided that a direct L⁴-L⁶ link between L⁴ and L⁶ is free of two heteroatoms linked together. 